The best in last week's editorials from college campuses across the nation

Ohio State University

Valentine's Day weekend opens on a tragic note this year, as Mattel has announced the breakup of fabled lovers Barbie and Ken. According to The Associated Press, "Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken 'feel it's time to spend quality time - apart.'"

There was speculation about whether the breakup was centered around the release of Cali Girl Barbie, a tanned, bikini-top-wearing edition of the plastic bombshell. Arons, however, denied these rumors, hinting toward other possible factors that might have led to the finalization of a 43-year-long relationship.

"Arons hinted Wednesday that the separation may be partially due to Ken's reluctance to getting married," according to the AP.

- "Barbie's single"

from Ohio State University's The Lantern

Virginia Tech University

No one forces nonsmokers to enter a smoky bar - they have the choice not to. The government has no need or right to take steps to protect public health in an area where public attendance is not mandatory and therefore where no common public health risk exists.

Moreover, bars have been, to date, locations where patrons assemble to drink, and smoking has traditionally gone hand in hand with alcohol. This is truly the nature of many bars; it is part of a particular social atmosphere. It is an aspect many customers choose to embrace, which many find, with no uncertainty, necessary.

Should the owner and management of a private business decide to cater to customer needs and allow smoking within their premises, they should be free to do so without hindrance of the state.

This is an issue of retaining free choice for all concerned individuals - smoking patrons, nonsmoking patrons and owners.

- "Government should not infringe on smoking rights" from Virginia Tech's The Collegiate Times

Duke University

You root for one team and against the other, approve of the team and not the referees, cheer louder than the other squad's fans. Fans can set aside the differences that pervade their lives outside of Cameron, and unite around their common cause: the Blue Devils. Fans have a reasonable right to expect that the only partisan campaigning during the game will be done on behalf of the teams on the court.

Duke Students for Bush violated this implicit contract by deliberately using the game as a forum for political expression. In the midst of a heated election cycle, a sporting event is one of a handful of places where one can expect to remain isolated from politics for a short while. By wearing politically motivated shirts and voicing support for their candidate, the students disrupted the athletic spirit of the game, and exploited the teams on the court to bolster their agenda.

-"Fans don't want politics"

from Duke University's The Chronicle

University of Rhode Island

Bush also said he would not testify before a commission established to look into intelligence failures before the war in Iraq. "You know, I don't testify. I

mean, I will be glad to visit with them. I will be glad to share with them knowledge. I will be glad to make recommendations, if they ask for some," he said. Listening to the president on "Meet the Press" was like listening to a broken record. His arguments were circular, and in trying to defend his actions, he did little more than attempt to play on the public's post-Sept. 11 fears. Bush said the war was a war of necessity but has still failed to prove it. As a result, 500 Americans have died in a war of choice.

- "Bush interview loaded with vague rhetoric" from The University of Rhode Island's

The Good Five Cent Cigar

Rutgers University

The lack of funding is a devastating problem for public colleges across the country - which a few bonuses are not going to fix. Faculty members will continue to be underpaid and leave for private institutions that can pay them more money. But this movement by the students of William & Mary demonstrates that students respect the importance of good faculty members and shows students are willing to put their money where their mouths are. Nevertheless, students won't always be willing to pitch in money if state governments do not also show they are willing to do their part.

- "Paying professors"

from Rutgers University's Daily Targum

The University of Oklahoma

There is no guarantee the money would be used for health care or any other specified programs. Instead, legislators could raid this fund at any time for any reason.

There are other problems with the cigarette tax initiative. The tax targets specific consumers, people who are addicted to a legal product. Although smokers certainly have the choice to quit, it is much harder for them to eliminate cigarettes from their lifestyle than it is for people to eliminate other products.

Even with that in mind, the general public, perhaps including even smokers, might approve of the tax if they knew where it was going.

But they don't. No one does.

- "Oppose cigarette tax plan" from the

University of Oklahoma's Oklahoma Daily

The University of Minnesota

With settlements expanding in the West Bank, construction of the fence continuing apace, and the Israeli military regularly raiding the occupied territories, Palestinian moderates have been hard-pressed to justify a halt to the violence or renewed negotiations. Arafat might no longer be a presence on the world stage, but he can thank President George W. Bush for his resurgent popularity among Palestinians.

All this puts the Bush administration in an awkward, if familiar, position. Sharon is slated to meet with Bush within two weeks, talks he will undoubtedly use to ensure continued U.S. support for Israeli policy. The president should use the opportunity to remind Sharon that a unilateral settlement is no settlement at all.

- "Israel should follow plan to clear Gaza Strip" from the University of Minnesota's Minnesota Daily

Syracuse University

Dean's contributions over the past year should be recognized. His fiery speeches and inspired attitude were a real departure from politics as usual. He was able to articulate well that the Democrats had rolled over on many issues and were on their knees in front of Bush. Dean did restore some pride to an otherwise lifeless bunch of dullards by "representing the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party."

But it's time for the Democrats to trim some fat. Howard Dean is next on the list. Kucinich and Sharpton have no chance in hell, and their continued campaigns won't cipher funds from a potential winner. Kerry and Edwards deserve a focus, and it's Dean's responsibility now to direct his throngs of followers toward their campaigns. The goal of the Democrats now is to defeat Bush, and they need to play their cards quite wisely to do so.

- "Time for Dean to pull the plug"

from Syracuse University's Daily Orange

- Compiled from U-Wire